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Nov 1, 2012 · Through psychotherapy, psychologists help people of all ages live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. In psychotherapy, psychologists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop healthier, more effective habits. There are several approaches to psychotherapy—including cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and ...
- What do practicing psychologists do?
Practicing psychologists can help with a range of health...
- Helping People Improve Their Lives
Psychology’s Impact. Psychologists use scientific research...
- What do practicing psychologists do?
- Overview
- What do they do?
- Types of psychologists
- How can they help?
- Psychologists vs. psychiatrists
- What education is required?
- How to access help
- When to seek help from a psychologist
- Cost
- Summary
Psychologists study the mind and behavior to support people with mental health conditions. They might specialize in different subfields, such as clinical or forensic psychology.
This article provides an overview of what psychologists do, the different types of psychologists, and how they can help.
Psychologists have gone through clinical and academic education in psychology to understand the mind and behavior.
They provide services to people with mental health conditions and those going through difficult or distressing times.
People might receive different services from a psychologist, depending on their area of specialty.
For example, a psychologist might help someone with symptoms of depression or anxiety. The person may be dealing with specific issues, such as anger problems or bereavement.
Psychologists use a variety of methods to help people in different situations. A common approach is providing psychotherapy, which is a type of talk therapy to help people cope with symptoms and improve their well-being.
In some cases, a psychologist will work with other healthcare professionals to provide treatment. For example, they might work with a family doctor or psychiatrist, who can prescribe medication.
There are many areas in which a psychologist might specialize.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), recognized specialties of psychology include the following:
•Clinical neuropsychology aims to understand the relationship between the brain and behavior.
•Clinical health psychology examines and supports clinical services to promote physical and mental health.
•Psychoanalysis focuses on understanding and changing personality and other unconscious aspects of behavior and thinking.
•School psychology involves working with pupils, parents or caregivers, and teachers in school settings.
Psychologists can support the treatment of many problems, including:
•understanding and dealing with addiction
•treating depression and anxiety symptoms
•diagnosing and treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
•supporting people with dementia
•helping people lose weight or live a healthful lifestyle
Psychiatrists have a different educational background than psychologists. They are medical doctors who have chosen to specialize in psychiatry rather than another area of medicine.
They have the authority to prescribe medications to people with mental health conditions.
Psychologists typically have a doctoral degree that involves at least 4–6 years of full-time education and training after an undergraduate degree.
Psychologist training can vary depending on the specialty. For example, the training may focus on statistics, biology, or social factors.
People looking for a psychologist can consult their family doctor. A doctor will be able to assess a person’s needs and suggest the right kind of psychologist.
It is also possible to locate a psychologist online. For example, the APA provide an online search tool for finding local psychologists.
Anyone who is experiencing persistent emotional, behavioral, or cognitive problems could benefit from seeing a psychologist. Parents or caregivers who suspect that their child has ADHD or ASD can also take them to these specialists for an evaluation.
Some examples of signs that it may be helpful to see a psychologist include:
•feeling anxious on a regular basis
•experiencing overwhelming feelings of sadness or helplessness
•having difficulty with everyday challenges or work
•using drugs or alcohol to cope
Many insurance plans cover the cost of mental healthcare. Sessions typically range from $65 to $200, depending on the area and psychologist, but the costs can sometimes be higher.
People in the United States without insurance can access funding for mental healthcare through Medicaid. Some employers or universities will also cover costs, while community mental health clinics may offer low cost or sliding scale therapy.
Psychologists specialize in the mind and behavior. They provide a range of different services, including treatment for mental health symptoms.
Most psychologists have a doctoral degree with extensive training. They differ from psychiatrists, who are medical doctors able to prescribe medications.
- Aaron Kandola
Dec 11, 2019 · Practicing psychologists can help with a range of health problems and use an assortment of evidence-based treatments to help people improve their lives. Most commonly, they use therapy (often referred to as psychotherapy or talk therapy). There are many different styles of therapy, but the psychologist will work with the individual to identify ...
What They Do: Clinical psychologists who specialise in clinical psychology work with individuals with a wide range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to complex trauma and personality disorders. They are highly trained in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions and often work in hospitals, private practice or mental health clinics.
Jul 15, 2024 · Stress management therapy is the use of techniques, strategies, or programs specifically to reduce stress levels, prevent stress, or cope with situations or events that could lead to increased stress levels. Two examples include psychotherapy (talk therapy) for stress and relaxation training.
Psychology’s Impact. Psychologists use scientific research to better understand how people learn, interpret events and make decisions. They then translate that knowledge into techniques to help people make smarter choices in their daily lives. Based on a deep knowledge of how lifestyles are affected by factors related to biology, mental ...
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Apr 1, 2022 · Many psychologists have professional training and clinical skills to evaluate and treat your mental health using psychotherapy (talk therapy), psychological evaluations and testing. Psychologists help people learn to cope more effectively with life and relationship issues and mental health conditions. Advertisement.
